While Sir Tony Blair’s office has stated he would not endorse any plan that displaces Gazans, his involvement in these discussions is significant….reports Asian Lite News
Former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair is reportedly in high-level discussions to potentially head a transitional authority in Gaza, should a ceasefire be reached, the BBC reported.
The proposal, which has been discussed by international leaders, including US President Donald Trump and various Arab heads of state, aims to establish a temporary governing body to oversee Gaza’s transition to Palestinian control.
Sources suggest that the plan, which has garnered support in Washington, envisions a transitional body with backing from the United Nations and financial support from Gulf nations. While Sir Tony’s office has stated he would not endorse any plan that displaces Gazans, his involvement in these discussions is significant.
The former prime minister, who served as the Quartet’s (US, EU, UN, Russia) Middle East envoy from 2007, has a history of working towards economic development and a two-state solution for the region. He recently met with President Trump at the White House to discuss post-war Gaza plans.
The talks come as the international community navigates a complex political landscape. The UK, along with Canada and Australia, recently formally recognized the state of Palestine, a move that was criticised by the US and Israel as a reward for Hamas.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has stated his readiness to work with international leaders on a two-state peace plan, while simultaneously rejecting any future governing role for Hamas in Gaza and demanding the group’s disarmament.
The discussions are set against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the taking of 251 hostages.
In the subsequent Israeli military campaign, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that over 65,000 people have been killed. A UN inquiry has accused Israel of committing genocide, a charge that Israel denies.
Sir Tony’s potential role adds a new, and for some, controversial dimension to the ongoing international efforts to bring peace and stability to the region. He remains a contentious figure due to his decision to lead the UK into the 2003 Iraq War, which was later found to be based on flawed intelligence.
This week, the US President Donald Trump held a multilateral meeting on Gaza with a select group of leaders of Muslim countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, was attended by leaders of Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, the UAE and Jordan.
The talks explored potential diplomatic, political, and humanitarian options aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing war in Gaza, with participants deliberating on pathways toward de-escalation, ceasefire arrangements, and long-term stability in the region.
In his brief remarks at the beginning of the discussion, Trump said it was his “most important meeting” of the day, and the goal was to end the war in Gaza soon.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim thanked Trump for hosting a meeting on Gaza, saying that the Arab leaders are counting on him to end the conflict.
“The only reason we are here is to stop the war and bring the hostages back, and we count on you and your leadership as well to end this war and to help the people of Gaza,” he told Trump.
After the engagement ended, Trump did not take the questions from reporters but said he had a “very good meeting.”
Earlier in the day, during his address at the UNGA, Trump squarely blamed Hamas for rejecting the “reasonable offers” to make peace and criticised countries that have recently recognised a Palestinian state.
